Our Purpose:

The Project for Indigenous Self-Determination (Project ISD) was founded in 2010 and is an organization that is committed to the right of self-determination for all Indigenous peoples worldwide. Project ISD believes the path to meanigful self-determination for Indigenous peoples takes many different forms, but that Indigenous peoples are constantly finding new and innovative solutions to the various problems they face and, in the process, are finding better and better ways to exercise self-determination. Thus, one primary objective of Project ISD is to document what is working for Indigenous peoples and to share that information across the globe.

The Project for Indigenous Self-Determination also believes that while Indigenous peoples must be proactive in exercising their rights, that much can still be done to convince governments (and the rest of the world) that Indigenous self-determination should be promoted (and not suppressed). As such, Project ISD is also dedicated to producing valuable research for the purpose of promoting Indigenous self-determination among all audiences.

Our Philosophy:

Project ISD is the manifestation of a vision to take a lot of the ideas of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, and look at how they can be used to implement international indigenous law put forth by organizations such as the United Nations, International Labour Organization, and the Organization of American States.

For us, Chile is the starting point for the organization's work, although we are always looking for opportunities to be useful anywhere.

Our People:

Laura Seelau graduated from the University of Arizona with degrees in Law (J.D.) and Latin American Studies (M.A.). She has experience working for the United Nations on projects related to indigenous peoples. Specifically, she studied under and worked for James Anaya, the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples. Laura is an expert on international law and has presented on the topic in both English and Spanish on numerous occasions.

Ryan Seelau received his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Iowa, and then went on to receive advanced degrees (LLM and S.J.D.) from the University of Arizona in Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy. His most extensive work experience is with the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy in the areas of general research and curriculum development. He has, however, also worked with a number of different organizations on indigenous-related projects in areas as diverse as: justice systems, economic development, and health. His expertise is grounded in U.S. Indian Law, and more generally, in governance structures and theory.